A Paradox in Retrograde — John F. Faherty

The story of “A Paradox in Retrograde” is set in a far distant future, on island city state Baldur. Balanced on the edge of a decimated world, Baldur is governed by the power of myth and dependent upon the latent technology of a previous lost civilization. An unfolding chain of events soon leads to a discovery of a coming catastrophe. They must deal with a mysterious discovery of strange objects, and the remains of a crashed alien vessel high in the hills above the city. Amidst this a mysterious stranger named Ananda appears suddenly out of the sea. This stranger suffering from some deficit of memory knows little more than his name. From the frozen depths of space a dark companion to the Earth once again wanders into the realm of the inner planets. From this nemesis planet known as Nibaru, a great fleet of savage warriors freed from the icy embrace of the nether regions threatens again to cross the gulf of space and descend upon the fragile Earth. Once there they plan to feed in a cannibalistic frenzy, to devour the precious life force of their human host. Through a sacred religious rite known as “the rite of combat” Nibaru's warrior caste must first risk all to prove themselves worthy before Hector the Immortal King of the Earth-men. Meanwhile on Earth far more familiar to our own, scientists using condemned prisoners are conducting experiments search for the elusive seat of the mind. Through their experiments using artificial intelligence to map the quantum topography of consciousness they unwittingly unleash within the fabric of reality a series of breaches to the boundaries that constrain it, creating a paradox. As a result the subject's consciousness is splintered throughout time and affixed into the timeline of Baldur. Ananda discovers then that he now possesses knowledge concerning the coming conflict. Possessing this he soon emerges as Hector the eternal defender of the human race. His brother Amida having long ago chosen a different path returns. Appearing first as an apparition and then in human form, attempts to guide his brother. Amida knows the secret that is not yet known to Ananda. Ananda and Hector are one and the same entity. It is Amida's mission to somehow blunt his brother's fury. For if left unchecked Hector world destroy all to assure victory. The humans in fear of Ananda's motives, attempt to disrupt his plans which threaten to destroy them. The group led by Landaus makes a daring first strike they gain access to Nibaru. Once there they set to even the odds, crippling any chance of a full out invasion by sabotaging the vast fleet of ships arrayed against them. What they could not know is that by completing this mission they have unwittingly disrupted the timeline between these realities. There then on the field before the citadel of Baldur a desperate battle unfolds. There now the ancient cycle of conflict comes to its bitter end as Ananda and Amida fight their final battle.